Firm wins second stage

Paul Dunlop
THE roadbuilding firm responsible for constructing the first stage of the Pakenham Bypass has also won the contract for the second section.
The FRH Group was recently announced as the successful tenderer for the $67.3 million contract for the eastern section from the HealesvilleKooweerup Road to Nar Nar Goon Road.
Work on the first section between Cardinia Road and Kooweerup Road began in August following the turning of the first sod on the project by Federal Minister for Roads Jim Lloyd and the Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor.
The letting of the second stage was announced recently by both levels of government and welcomed by McMillan MP Russell Broadbent.
“The letting of this new contract means the project is on target to have work on all sections of the bypass under way by early next year,” Mr Broadbent said. “Motorists can already see the earthworks over the central seven kilometres, which will include three major interchanges, including ramps at McGregor Road.
“Significant features of the eastern section will be an overpass at Bald Hill Road, bridge structures spanning Deep Creek and an overpass at the Gippsland railway line, including noise attenuation walls.
“A full ‘diamondshaped’ interchange is planned at Nar Nar Goon,” he said.
Mr Broadbent said the contract for the western section of the bypass, from Beaconsfield to Cardinia Road, was expected to be awarded early next year.
The $242 million project is due to be completed and opened to traffic by late 2007.
The bypass is expected to be the harbinger of a new phase in Pakenham’s growth and has been eagerly awaited for years by residents.
Cardinia Shire Council chief executive Don Welsh has said its importance to the future prosperity of this area could not be underestimated.
The bypass will be a fourlane divided freeway running to the south of the Princes Highway between Beaconsfield and Nar Nar Goon.
It has been declared a Road of National Importance and is jointly funded by the Federal and State Governments.
It will be constructed in three sections.
Works on Cardinia Road were completed in advance of the freeway sections.